Mount Hood

New Student Week come to a close with the student-run Variety Show

Students come together to share their talent in this traditional New Student Week event 

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

From left to right: Jasper Beck, Jared Foos, Andrew Freeman, Daizy Hernandez Soriano, Jessica Bailey, Aubrey Mollock.

The end of New Student Week was marked by the return of a Western tradition — the Variety Show. Organized by the PLUS team’s Variety Show committee, the event consisted of 10 student acts, three prize giveaways and a New Student Week video shot and edited by Western alumnus and freelance videographer Andy McDonald. 

Moshe Martinez, junior computer science major, PLUS team member and overseer of the Variety Show committee, acted as MC of the event. Spaced throughout the show, the PLUS team held short raffles for prizes, and a select few students won items ranging from a Hydro Flask to a smart TV.  

The performances began with junior ASL Studies major Jared Foos, who sang and played guitar to his own arrangement of “Gone, Gone/Thank You” by Tyler, the Creator and “Relax/Divide” by Hail The Sun. 

First-years Ashlee Ellis, Sorin Santos and Breanna Carrasco Vivar performed an energetic light dance routine to the song “LALISA” by Lisa. 

Senior criminal justice and psychology double major Andrew Freeman, who is vice president and vocal percussionist of Western’s Acapella Club, performed an original beatbox story, taking the audience through a day in the life of a beatboxer. Freeman was joined by the rest of the Acapella Club for a musical finale. 

On the piano, first-year music education major Kourtney Branchfield performed an original song titled “Perfectionist,” something she identifies with.

“I want to kind of help people understand what (perfectionist) means,” Branchfield said of her song’s message, “or people who are also dealing with it can also relate to it.” 

First-year business major Daizy Hernandez Soriano sang “Que Me Vas a Dar” by Jenni Rivera, the only act performed in another language. 

Graduate student Liam Vance performed “Take Out Some Insurance” by Jimmy Reed. As Vance left the stage, he declared, “My Name is Liam Vance and I am just getting started.” 

Channeling a Bo Burnham-style musical comedy, senior art and design major Jessica Bailey performed an original song on guitar titled “WIP” about wanting to find their place and figure out life. 

“One of the things that I was working on was trying to be more honest with myself…” Bailey said, “even if things are kind of embarrassing and weird to say out loud, trying to say it anyways because it’s actually quite helpful.” 

First-year Jasper Beck performed his slam poetry piece titled “2nd Law” accompanied by an original backtrack and slideshow. 

“I essentially used the second law of thermodynamics as a metaphor for the fact that societies and relationships tend to fall apart, just like matter does…” Beck said of the inspiration behind the poem, “and sort of my thoughts on how that affects people and how our reaction to that brokenness is not healthy, in my opinion.” 

First-year psychology major Aubrey Mollock sang an emotional rendition of “Burn” from the musical “Hamilton,” a song performed by wife Eliza after Hamilton released documents to the public revealing his affair. 

First-year Manda Oliver played an original piece titled “Stepping into a Mirror.” According to Oliver, the song was initially about escaping reality, but over time came to be synonymous with creating her perfect reality instead. 

At the end of the live performances, Martinez was joined onstage by the rest of the PLUS team for a choreographed dance to Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s hit song “Uptown Funk.”

Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@thewesternhowl.com

Popular movies and TV coming to streaming

The critically acclaimed media coming to Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu this October 

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Classes are back in session, which can mean more stress for students. For those who need a break from homework, here’s a sneak peek into some of the critically acclaimed movies and television shows coming to streaming services this October. 

Coming to Netflix:  

  • “Seinfeld” (1989) ⏤ Oct. 1. All nine seasons of the famous sitcom featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards. Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%. 
  • “Till Death” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 1. A romantic lake house vacation turns deadly when Emma’s husband enacts a revenge plot against her. Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%.
  • “On My Block” (2018) ⏤ Oct. 4. Two years after Monse’s departure from Freeridge, the group is back together, and this final season will explore their changed dynamic as they navigate new threats in the neighborhood. Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%. 
  • “YOU” (2018) ⏤ Oct. 15. In season three, Joe and Love are raising their newborn son in a Californian suburb. But when Joe’s attention shifts to their next door neighbor, Love must take drastic measures to protect her perfect family. Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%. 

    Coming to Disney+:

    • “Black Widow” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 6. Natasha Romanoff must confront her dark past as an assassin — and the people she left behind — when a new foe arises. Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%. 
    • “Marvel’s What If…?” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 6. Marvel’s newest addition to their growing media arsenal comes to a close in the finale episode. Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%. 

    Coming to Hulu:

    • “Crimson Tide” (1995) ⏤ Oct. 1. Set after the Cold War, a rookie lieutenant commander of the submarine USS Alabama stages a mutiny to prevent the captain from starting a nuclear war with Russian extremists. Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%. 
    • “Escape from Alcatraz” (1979) ⏤ Oct. 1. Frank Morris, a criminal with a reputation for breaking out of prison, is sent to Alcatraz and crafts a plan to escape the inescapable. Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%.
    • “Goldfinger” (1964) ⏤ Oct. 1. When gold magnate Auric Goldfinger is suspected of concocting a scheme to rob Fort Knox and cripple the world economy, 007 must foil the plot. Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%. 
    • “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005) ⏤ Oct. 1. The season 18 premiere will feature the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital treating patients after the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduce new obstacles as they try to employ doctors. Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%. 
    • “Mad Max” (1979) ⏤ Oct. 1. In a world where oil shortages have led to famine, war and financial crisis, police officer Max goes rogue to avenge his murdered wife and son. Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%. 
    • “The Hunger Games” (2012) ⏤ Oct. 1. Every year, the Capitol picks two children from each assigned district to join a bloodthirsty competition. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to save her sister, her life is changed forever. Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%. 
    • “Waitress” (2007) ⏤ Oct. 1. Waitress Jenna is married to an abusive husband and stuck in a small town, with plans to escape ⏤ but complications arise when she begins an affair with the town doctor. Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%. 

    Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@thewesternhowl.com

    Social media presence and how it can affect the future

    Tips for making social media pages professional

    Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

    We live in a time where social media is used by almost everyone for anything from communicating with friends or family, storing photos, promoting businesses, to much more. When applying to a new school, program or job, it is important to check one’s social media presence beforehand. 

    Students have experienced employment rejection based on posts they may have forgotten about or did not think about when uploading. People may be unaware that prospective employers check our pages, and they do it for many reasons such as gauging personality, professionalism, if a resume matches and so on. Here are some tips for cleaning up social media that can help protect oneself in the future.

    • Go through old posts and status updates searching for any unprofessional things such as derogatory comments, confidential information from a prior job, drama and inappropriate photos.
    • Photos holding alcohol, partying or otherwise inappropriate activity should be archived.
    • Make accounts private in settings, and on Facebook, choose “Friends” for activity, or “Just me” for posts that would be best kept personal.
    • Double check resumes and what is listed on social media for any inconsistencies on dates, volunteer work or jobs.
    • Deactivate or delete old profiles that are no longer in use. This will give a clean search and also keep emails free of spam.
    • Google oneself to see what potential employers will see.
    • Check personal following lists on all accounts, removing any controversial or inappropriate pages.

        This does not mean a person has to censor their life and have no control over their accounts. It is a word of caution to be aware of what is being put on the internet and who may see it. A rule of thumb is if it would be uncomfortable to show a supervisor, do not post it. 

        Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

        How to save space in the dorms

        Storage saving tricks for any living space

        Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

        For many, a dorm is not just a place to sleep, but a place to study, snack, socialize, get ready and relax before the next assignment is due or class starts. Having a clean living space is essential to maintaining comfort. According to Harvard Business Review, the state of one’s physical environment can significantly influence the decision making process. Also, having a cluttered space can negatively affect stress and anxiety levels as well as the ability to focus, eating choices and sleeping patterns. Here are some tricks to declutter and organize a living area.

        Lots of out of season clothes? One trick to hiding winter clothes that aren’t in use is to store them in a bean bag shell, thick couch cushions or decorative pillows. Fill the bag with all sweaters, long sleeve tops and even snow gear for a dual purpose chair. This works for the opposite as well, to place summer clothes during the winter months. 

        Another common clutter area for students is a desk or vanity. Makeup and bathroom products can often end up in these areas — especially if there is a shared bathroom with limited space. Try getting a plastic organizer shelf for miscellaneous items such as nail clippers, files, tweezers, hair ties and so on to save time and space while getting ready. These are typically inexpensive and can even be found at a dollar store. 

        Sometimes, dressers and hutches do not fit everything that needs to be stored. A simple and quick hack is to roll clothes instead of folding. First take the item and fold it in half, then fold the sleeve or armpit if applicable to make a straight line down the side of the item. After this, roll from the top tightly all the way down and place in your drawer. Not only does this make more items fit, but also displays more pieces to avoid unfolding when looking for clothes. This tip also works really well for traveling and packing a suitcase.

        Scarves can also take up a lot of space; grab a hanger and tie each across the bar of it. Depending on the size of the scarf, one hanger can store from three to ten.

        Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

        How I would commit the perfect crime

        I want to commit crime but not get caught, and I finally figured out how 

        Stephanie Moschella | Digital Media Manager

        There are loads of ways to commit a crime — from illegally downloading music and jaywalking, all the way to murdering someone; there’s a lot of middle ground that’s uncovered. I’m a pretty average person with no real connection to someone that could easily bail me out of jail, and I don’t really know the legality for literally everything in my life, so I would say that committing any type of crime is pretty much off the table. But I’ve done some not so great stuff here and there, from cheating on tests to flipping people off on the street. However, it’s not like robbing a bank or killing my next-door neighbor’s dog (no matter how annoying it is).

        I wouldn’t kidnap someone because that seems like way too much trouble for what it’s worth, and like, what am I supposed to do? Keep one of those ugly ski masks on the entire time? And who am I supposed to kidnap? I can’t do children because they’re way too loud and kind of gross — besides, I know for a fact I would feel way too guilty about it during the whole thing. Then a whole a-s adult? I’m weak, diseased and haven’t properly run since PE during my sophomore year of highschool, so I would become the victim. 

        I’m also too impatient to rob a bank, or literally anything else. Sure, maybe I’ve stolen a small trinket here and there, but never enough to have my whole life set. If I were to rob a place, it would have to ensure med school, a proper wedding, four kids — adoption and fostering — a yacht and a third movie of the “National Treasure” series. But see, I get fidgety real quick. And imagine someone with an encyclopedia-long list of undiagnosed mental illnesses with a gun, in a room full of people — yeah, textbook school shooter material. So no, don’t rob a place with someone who has social anxiety. 

        “So what would be my perfect crime? Well, it’s simple. I break into Tiffany’s at midnight. Do I go for the vault? No, I go for the chandelier. It’s priceless. As I’m taking it down, a woman catches me. She tells me to stop. It’s her father’s business. She’s Tiffany. I say no. We make love all night. In the morning, the cops come and I escape in one of their uniforms. I tell her to meet me in Mexico, but I go to Canada. I don’t trust her. Besides, I like the cold. Thirty years later, I get a postcard. I have a son and he’s the chief of police. This is where the story gets interesting. I tell Tiffany to meet me in Paris by the Trocadéro. She’s been waiting for me all these years. She’s never taken another lover. I don’t care. I don’t show up. I go to Berlin. That’s where I stashed the chandelier.” 

        Inspired by “The Office” season 5 episode 9.

        Contact the author at digitalmediamanager@thewesternhowl.com

         

        This week in completely made up horoscopes

        The Western Howl Staff

        Theme: Giving advice to new students!

        Aries 3/21-4/19  

        Drop out.

        Taurus 4/20-5/20

        Pedialyte. Lots of pedialyte. Hydration station.  

        Gemini 5/21-6/20 

        Use last year’s essays.

        Cancer 6/21-7/22

        Go to community college first—oh wait

        Leo 7/23-8/22

        Join clubs, go to social events, make connections with professors, get an internship, get a job. All at once. You totally will not burn out extremely trying to please everyone.

        Virgo 8/23-9/22

        Coffee is your best friend. Literally, you’re not gonna survive without her. 

        Libra 9/23-10/22

        Befriend people. Many people. Date everyone you meet.

        Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

        C’s get degrees. …or is it D’s, idk

        Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

        College is more about the experience than actual learning. Skipping classes is totally fine as long as you’re out living life to the fullest.

        Capricorn 12/22-1/19

        Start budgeting, you’ll probably have to survive a couple months with only $13 dollars at least twice.

        Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

        Summer is over. Accept it and embrace Fall so you can enjoy it!

        Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

        Get some food in your stomach before/while drinking so you can drink more

        WOU internal scholarships face $1.5 million “right-sizing”

        Area heads receive emails announcing smaller budget for Fee Remissions next year

        Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

        Article 15 and staff layoffs were only among the first areas to undergo what Western administration has coined “right-sizing” the university.

        Going into the upcoming school year, Student Affairs and Financial Aid have finalized a list of Western specific scholarships known as “Fee Remissions” to be cut, totalling an estimated $1.5 million, according to a March 31 email sent to English professor and Honors Department Director Dr. Gavin Keulks.

        According to Financial Aid’s website, the Fee Remissions budget is university funds designated by Western to help students pay for tuition and educational fees. The site lists educational fees including mandatory fees ⏤ Incidental fee, Building fee, Online Course fee, Rec Center building fee, Student Health building fee and Health Services fee ⏤ and course fees that vary by class.

        “(The) University is reducing the Remission budget for next year, largely because of fewer students enrolled at (Western),” said Vice President of Student Affairs Gary Dukes. “Even though enrollment has been decreasing over the last few years, the Remissions budget has been increasing. This (reduction) is largely to bring the Remission budget back in line with our current enrollment.”

        At the time this article was written, the Western Howl had not been sent a full comprehensive list of all scholarships that are undergoing these changes, but on May 14, the Howl was sent a list of 17 areas. This list did not include the Honors Department scholarship; however, according to Keulks, the Honors Department is receiving a 25% decrease to their current $200,000 budget. Under the new budget, Keulks anticipates two possible scenarios to respond to the decrease, but it all depends on enrollment rates for the upcoming school year.

        “It was 42 (students) back at the start of the year,” said Keulk. “I’m not going to be anywhere near 42 with with the incoming students. I might be at 20 and right there is $20,000 saved … here’s no way it’s not going to impact students, but it’s not going to be an obliteration.”

        However, Keulks says that the worst case scenario would be more enrollment than anticipated as it would impact the fixed amounts given during each academic year. 

        After speaking to several assistant directors within a few departments, a commonality in the budget decrease is that directors were not involved directly with decisions regarding Fee Remission decreases. Directors received an email from Gary Dukes pertaining to their budget, but otherwise were not contacted other than asking for what could be cut.

        Contact the author at scarpenter@mail.wou.edu